Today was my last day working at the Children's Museum of Richmond. It was very bittersweet leaving but I am looking forward to staying home with Caroline. I came to the museum feeling burnt out and discouraged by the public school system. I leave the museum feeling inspired by all that teaching has to offer. I like to say that I fell in love with teaching again. I was able to work with my team to take the time to come up with quality lessons that taught the state standards but also expanded on them and brought them alive. This was something that always frustrated me about the public school system. There was never enough time be it in the day or in the pacing guide to do what I really wanted to do.
I am going to greatly miss the museum staff but especially my education team coworkers. They have been invaluable co-workers and friends. When we lost Emily I never once felt like I had to rush back. They shared the burden of being "down a man" like it was no big deal. When I came back they helped me ease back into having to be around pregnant women and little babies (They are everywhere there!). It was not easy to one day be excited to see newborn babies and their mommies exploring the museum imagining myself being one of them, to the next being jealous of those same mommies and babies and imagining what it would have been like with Emily.
Since I became pregnant with Caroline they have been my daily support to all the ups and downs that this pregnancy has had. They rejoiced with me after every positive doctors appointment and supported me as I have dealt with every curve ball. If I was having a rough morning they would step in and help me out no questions asked. I have always felt loved and supported by them. They have helped give me the strength I have needed to keep going. From simple words of encouragement, to quiet actions, to encouraging me in my faith, I feel incredibly blessed to have had them as a daily support system in my life. Thank you ladies :)
Many people have asked me when I plan to go back to work. The answer is I don't know. Right now I am being called to be a stay at home mom. For how long, I don't know. If I have learned anything this year it is to put faith in God's plan. I try to remind myself daily to put my life in his hands and to let him lead me. This has not been easy for a planner like me. All I know is God has a plan that is better then anything I can imagine, so I'm going to stick with that. Part of me feels called to eventually be a preschool teacher, part of me feels called to get more involved in church Children's Ministry or preschool, yet another part of me feels called to somehow merge my pregnancy experiences with my career experiences. I figure as Phil and I embark on this next chapter in our life together, God will help show me the path that I am meant for. It takes a lot for a planner like me to just hand over the reigns but honestly it feels freeing and less stressful than trying to figure it out on my own.
For the next six weeks or so I will be a "Lady of Leisure". I will be trying to get some extra sleep (that is becoming more and more difficult at night,) to prepare the house for Caroline, to begin the emotional transition from working to staying at home, and to relax. After all we've been through this past year the best thing I can do for Caroline is to be relaxed. I also plan on finding all kinds of fun activities for Caroline and I to do around Richmond and at home. I have dreams of eventually transforming our dining room into an awesome play room. So watch out pinterest followers, I will be pinning away toddler activities :)
Hello stay at home mommies, Megan is joining you :)
Love,
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